1. Buy a whole chicken on sale and ask the butcher to cut it into 8 pieces for you. You’ll get smaller pieces that you can cook in more dishes than roasting a whole bird. Butchers are often happy to do this, though it’s best to ask when the counter is not busy. I bought two chickens yesterday at $.59/lb. You can’t beat that price when it’s cut up!
2. Search out the about-to-expire bread rack. I’ve seen artisan loafs for $.99. Just make sure to eat within 24 hours or freeze to avoid a mold takeover.
3. Get a loyalty card even if you’re not loyal. It’s free and gets you what is generally the “regular” price. Without it you’re paying an inflated rate.
4. Bring your own bags. Stores are starting to charge for paper/plastic and it’s better for the environment. Go for canvas or burlap for durability. The re-enforced nylon ones are crappy.
5. Ask for a rain check. If a sale item is out of stock and they don’t have any “in back,” get a rain check.
6. If a store wrongly refuses coupons, print out their coupon policy from their website and bring it with you next time you shop.
7. Look high, look low. Manufacturers pay to get their products placed at eye level, which can boost prices.
8. Stock up when prices are low so you can ride out the high prices.
9. Be open to new brands so you can be loyal to low prices.
10. Check out markets that cater to Latinos. In Los Angeles, Vallarta and Food 4 Less are full-sized markets with incredible prices but they often fall below the radar.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:24 am
When whole chickens are on sale I buy 2 and roast them both at the same time, then remove all of the meat, shred or cube it and freeze in 2 cup quantities for later use in casseroles, quesadillas, chicken salad etc. I find that 2 5-5 1/4 lb chickens yield about 7-8 cups of meat.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I heard yesterday that after 9pm Walmart sells their rotisserie for $1.50 to clear their stock!
July 29th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I do the same thing Melissa. I go to Fresh and Easy and get a chicken or 2. They are always between $2 something and $4. Plus, they’re not stuffed with all the gizzards and stuff I don’t want. Clean as a whistle inside. My 2 chihuahuas get chicken every morning for breakfast and I always have a tub of chicken ready to go for all those dishes you mentioned. Great minds eh?
July 29th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Another great tip is to buy london broil when it is on sale for $1.99 a pound. Have the butcher grind the meat. You will have ground beef that is less in fat than ground sirloin at a really good price.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Great POST BB! I’d not thought of asking the butcher to cut up chicken for me though!
Many years ago I learned to filet a bone-in chicken breast but have never learned to bone an entire chicken.
Great suggestion to ask the butcher to do it.
*Also wanted to say THANK YOU for the excellent list of birthday freebies you posted last month. Today I enjoyed a free fish dinner from Captain D’s and have a coupon for a free burger from Red Robin and Ruby Tuesdays! HOW FUN!
July 29th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Instead of full size hamburgers, use small dinner rolls, from the bargain rack, and make sliders. 1 lb. of ground meat (beef, chicken, pork) will yeild up to 12 slider patties. Make and freeze the patties individually, put into a freezer bag. Whenever you want a quick meal, pull a couple out and cook them up, add a salad and you are good to go for less than $1!
July 29th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
When using the market loyalty cards, you may also be getting coupons in the mail from the market besides getting the discount at the check-out when shopping.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:11 am
[...] chicken cut into pieces, on bone or cut into strips (Tip: buy whole chicken on sale and ask the butcher to cut it up for [...]
July 31st, 2009 at 7:55 am
Happy belated birthday, Tammy! Glad you could take advantage of so many freebies on your birthday.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:00 am
Fantastic tip! I wonder if it’s true…